Short answer: the Ascend Acoustics Sierra-2EX V2. It ranks #42 of 222 bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 4.3/5, at $1,748. The Sonus Faber Lumina II ranks #158, rated 3.4/5, at $1,600, $148 cheaper, which does not close the gap in sound quality.
The Ascend Acoustics Sierra-2EX V2 is the more accurate pick. A RAAL true ribbon tweeter is paired with a custom SEAS Excel Curv woofer, with the crossover optimized against Klippel NFS measurement data. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 5.88 against 3.81 for the Sonus Faber Lumina II. The catch: On-axis response is relatively uneven, with an average deviation of about 0.45dB, so a listener sitting dead center may notice more unevenness than with smoother AsciLab or Ascend towers.
The case for the Sonus Faber Lumina II: Handmade in Italy with a gloss-finished front baffle and black leather-wrapped cabinet: genuinely nice-looking speaker with real brand cachet. The tradeoff: Not a neutral speaker: has a persistent high-frequency boost/lift that makes it sound forward and bright, present whether pointed directly at the listener or toed out.
Buy the Ascend Acoustics Sierra-2EX V2. It is rated higher for sound quality, and saving $148 with the Sonus Faber Lumina II does not make up for the sound-quality gap.
Want more options? Browse the full Passive Home rankings.
A RAAL true ribbon tweeter is paired with a custom SEAS Excel Curv woofer, with the crossover optimized against Klippel NFS measurement data.
Ascend Acoustics $1,748 eBay
Handmade in Italy with a gloss-finished front baffle and black leather-wrapped cabinet: genuinely nice-looking speaker with real brand cachet.
Crutchfield $1,600 eBayPrices on this page were last checked October 16, 2026 at 5:46 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Ascend Acoustics Sierra-2EX V2 | Sonus Faber Lumina II | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,748 per pair | $1,600 per pair |
| Ranked | #42 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #158 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Enclosure | ported | - |
| Drivers | RAAL 10mm true ribbon tweeter, 6” SEAS Excel Curv cone woofer | 29mm DAD dome tweeter, 150mm paper cone mid-woofer |
| Dimensions | 14.3”H x 7.5”W x 10.5”D (362 x 190 x 267 mm) | 12” x 7.1” x 10.4” (304 x 180 x 263 mm) |
| Weight | 20.1 lbs (9.1 kg) each | 12.5 lbs (5.65 kg) each |
| Sensitivity | 85dB @ 2.83V/1m anechoic (manufacturer) | 86dB (measured average, Erin’s Audio Corner; matches manufacturer spec) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal | 4 ohms nominal, 4.1 ohms minimum (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Power Handling | 150W continuous, 300W peak | - |
| Frequency Response | 51-27,000Hz +/-3dB (manufacturer) | 55Hz - 24kHz (manufacturer specified) |
| Bass Extension (-6dB) | 51.3Hz (measured, spinorama.org vendor data) | - |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 58.6Hz (measured, spinorama.org vendor data) | 60Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 42.4Hz (measured, spinorama.org vendor data) | 41Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Warranty | 7 years parts and labor | - |
| Country | United States | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.88 | 3.81 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.95 | 6.10 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| Crossover Frequency | - | 1800Hz |
| Recommended Power | - | 30W - 150W |
Frequency Response Compared
Both speakers’ spinorama measurements, overlaid. A flatter line is more neutral: peaks sound forward or harsh, dips sound recessed. Each curve is shifted so its average from 300 Hz to 3 kHz sits at 0 dB, so loudness differences between the two are removed and only the shape is compared. The two were measured by different sources, so small differences, especially in the bass, can come from the measurement setup rather than the speakers.
Measurement data: Ascend Acoustics Sierra-2EX V2 (measured by the manufacturer) and Sonus Faber Lumina II (measured by Erin’s Audio Corner), via spinorama.org.
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